Engineering 3-2 Programs

The 3-2
pre-engineering program is a cooperative agreement between Hendrix College and
a set of colleges that offer ABET accredited engineering programs. The program
is also called "combined degree" or "dual degree". There
are currently three engineering schools in the Hendrix 3-2 engineering program.
They are: Columbia University in New
York City, NY, Vanderbilt University in Nashville, TN, and Washington
University in St. Louis in St. Louis, MO.

The
student completes the graduation requirements for a BA at Hendrix in the first
three years. Typically, the student must complete all but a few course credits needed to graduate from Hendrix before leaving for the engineering school. Any courses lacking in the Hendrix degree should be taken during the first year at the engineering school and transferred to Hendrix, therefore completing the Hendrix degree within four years.

Application to the engineering school for the 3-2 program happens during
the junior year. The student then completes the junior and senior level
engineering curriculum at the engineering school. At the end of the five years,
the student will have earned a BA from Hendrix and a BS in engineering from the
engineering school. For some programs, a student may complete four years at
Hendrix before entering the engineering program, making it a 4-2 program
instead. However, students should make sure that the program they are interested in will allow for four years at Hendrix.

The
engineering schools have excellent engineering programs, and admissions are
highly competitive. Each year, these schools reserve a small number of seats
for students from Hendrix and other schools like us across the nation. While there
is competition for these spots, the probability of receiving admission through
the 3-2 program is much higher than the probability of receiving admission into
the engineering program as a freshman.

There are
many types of engineering, including mechanical, electrical, chemical, civil, and
computer engineering. Other types include systems, financial, environmental,
biomedical, and industrial engineering. Each partner school offers a different
selection of these engineering types.

The choice
of major at Hendrix depends on the type of engineering degree being sought. For
example, a student interested in civil, mechanical, or electrical engineering
will typically major in physics. A student interested in chemical or
biochemical engineering might major in chemistry, chemical physics, or
biochemistry molecular biology. A student interested in computer engineering
will major in computer science. Finishing requirements for a Hendrix degree
with one major in three years requires careful preparation and planning.
Students will typically not have time to also complete a second major or a
minor or have time to take a complete semester to study abroad. However, if a
student arrives at Hendrix with multiple transfer credits or Advanced Placement
(AP) credits, it is possible to complete something beyond the one major.

The
following Hendrix classes are required for general admission to all 3/2
programs:

CHEM 110 General Chemistry I: Chemical Structure and Properties

CSCI 150 Foundations of Computer Science

MATH 130 Calculus I

MATH 140 Calculus II

MATH 230 Multivariable Calculus

PHYS 230 General Physics I (calculus-based)

PHYS 240 General Physics II
(calculus-based)

Other
classes that must be taken at Hendrix depend on the selection of engineering
school and engineering type. Freshmen should work with their advisor to plan to
fit these classes, plus the classes needed for the Hendrix major, plus the
Hendrix general graduation requirements into three years. In order to meet this
schedule, freshmen must complete the calculus sequence in their first year. The
other freshmen classes should work towards the major and general graduation
requirements.

Financial
aid packages provided by Hendrix College provide assistance while the student
is studying at Hendrix and do not continue while the student is at the
engineering school. Outside scholarships may or may not apply to the
engineering school tuition, depending on the details and requirements of each
scholarship. Each engineering school offers their own financial aid packages,
and it is the student's responsibility to apply for these programs at the time
of application to the program at each school.

For more information, please download this Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) document about the program.

If you are
interested in the program, or have questions, please contact Dr. Ann Wright at wright@hendrix.edu.